As parents of little ones, we all know that feeding babies can be fun, messy and maybe a little nerve wracking in the beginning there are so many conflicting messages out there about what, when and how to start solids. I have no doubt that youve received unsolicited advice from your friends, family and random people who feel the need to impart their feeding wisdom it can be confusing! Well, as a pediatric registered dietitian and mom of 3, Ive got your back, and Im here to give you the facts, based on the newest feeding guidelines and science: Babies should be introduced to solids around 6 months of age, when theyre developmentally ready, and are eager to dive into the wonderful world of solid foods. This is also when babies iron stores that they built up in the womb are depleted, so iron-rich foods like meat, poultry, fish, eggs, beans and lentils, or iron-fortified infant cereal should be offered at least twice a day to meet their needs. What a lot of parents dont realize, is that right from 6 months of age, babies are ready to practice self-feeding with soft and safe finger foods! And self-feeding or practicing baby-led feeding has many benefits such as: improved dexterity, earlier oral-motor development improved self-regulation of appetite easy and inexpensive, less stressful for the parents, may reduce picky eating,Finger foods that are safe and nutritious for babies are things like meat, poultry, fish, eggs, beans and lentils, soft cooked vegetables, soft fruit, whole grain foods, and cheese. When it comes to convenience snacking foods for babiesbecause even the most organized moms need easy baby snacks on hand--its important to read ingredients lists and make sure youre choosing nutrient-dense healthy options for your baby. In other words, you want to try to stay away from those typical rice-based snacks that you find down the baby aisle with next to no nutrition. You guystheres really not much nutrition in these. This is why Im so thrilled that Baby Gourmet has JUST come out with 100% high quality plant-based chickpea and lentil snacks (no rice or weird ingredients here) that are perfect for babies right from 6 months of age. They have both a carrot stick, and a tomato basil wheel that make for a perfect addition to a meal or a great snack while on the go. AND they actually offer nutrition like protein, fibre, iron and even probiotics! #ad #partner
